Social media photos of the world’s best tennis players taking long-haul flights down under, hitting the recognisable blue courts and posing with Australian wildlife mean one thing: the 2024 season is about to begin.

With the help of British former world number four Greg Rusedski, BBC Sport picks out the young stars to keep an eye on in 2024…

‘No doubt he’s the real deal’ – the men chasing Djokovic

Jannik Sinner, 22, Italy

Sinner is far from a new name, of course.

However, a stunning end to the 2023 season – a ceiling-breaking ATP 1000 title in Toronto, significant wins over the very best and inspiring Italy to Davis Cup victory – has brought him to the forefront of conversation when discussing Grand Slam champions in 2024.

Along with Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner is now considered one of the most likely to stand a chance of ending Novak Djokovic’s near-stranglehold on the major prizes.

“No question about it, Sinner is the real deal. He’s one of those who you think could win a major in 2024, he’s that good,” says Rusedski.

“I don’t think there will be a lapse or a let down from his fine end to the season – he’s too good, too professional and too many tools in the locker.

“I think he’s always had the belief he could be among the very best, but I’m not sure he always had the tools.

“His serve was the big tweak, he changed it twice and his ball toss is in a better place. He’s getting more free points and also has the willingness to come forward.

“Not only are the changes mentally and physically, it’s tactically and technically where he has made differences and that will help him push forward next season.”

Ben Shelton, 21, United States

At the start of 2023, Shelton had never even played outside of the United States. A few weeks later, in his first trip abroad, the huge-serving American was an Australian Open quarter-finalist.

Dealing with the rigours of playing full-time on the global ATP Tour provided challenges over the following months, before he wowed the crowds back on home soil on his way to the US Open semi-finals.

“I think the sky is the limit for him to be quite honest,” Rusedski says.

“He plays a different style, serve and volley, comes forward and is aggressive and attacking. He has got the game and the personality to make the top 10 next year.

“Can he get to the very top of the game is another question. There is a long way to go, but I think he will make the top 10 with the talent he has.”

Holger Rune, 20, Norway

Every young tennis player wants to emulate Djokovic and Roger Federer, so hiring two coaches who have helped hone greatness seems a smart move.

Rune first brought in Boris Becker, the six-time major champion who inspired Djokovic in one of the greatest periods of his career, and this month decided to add Federer’s confidante Severin Luthi too.

“Boris was a great acquisition because Rune still has a lot of improvement to make – tactically, technically and coming forward,” Rusedski says.

“It is the ‘smarts’ on court which Boris will add to his game. Physically Rune is an amazing athlete, he has a lot of power but doesn’t always know how to use it properly.

“Severin is a great acquisition too – the question mark is how are these two personalities going to work. How will they balance out and who will be the main voice when they’re all together. It’s so intriguing.

“I think it’ll take Rune longer than Sinner to figure out how to win a major. This could be one of those years where he has to solidify in the top 10 – then push forward in 2025 for the big prizes.”

‘We need a real rivalry’ – the WTA stars trying to push Swiatek

Coco Gauff, 19, United States

One of the stories of 2023 – if not the story – was Gauff fulfilling the potential she had long promised by winning her first major in front of an exultant home crowd at the US Open.

Gauff was one of three new major champions in the women’s singles last season – along with Aryna Sabalenka in Melbourne and Marketa Vondrousova at Wimbledon – and has long been tipped for many more titles.

“The question now is can she challenge Swiatek, who has been dominating the game since Ash Barty retired, on a regular basis,” Rusedski says.

“We need someone like Coco in the women’s game to continue winning majors and pushing the game forward.

“I also think we need a massive rivalry in the women’s game and it is dying for maybe Coco, Swiatek and Sabalenka going head to head at all the majors.

“It would add a real different dimension if Coco goes down under and wins the Australian Open.”

Mirra Andreeva, 16, Russia

When a player of Andy Murray’s ilk is pinging over a congratulatory text message, you know you’re creating quite the stir.

Andreeva had already earned notable wins at the Madrid Open as a 15-year-old before crediting Murray’s support for inspiring her to a first Grand Slam match win at the French Open shortly afterwards.

Although her run was ended by Gauff in the third round at Roland Garros, Andreeva further demonstrated her prodigious talent by reaching the last 16 at Wimbledon – having never even played on grass until that British summer.

“Everybody is talking about her being the next big thing in the game,” Rusedski says.

“She takes the ball really early, has a great two-handed backhand and has a great mentality. It is one of those seasons where she should break into the top 20, close to the top 10, with the ability she has right now.

“It’s so interesting in the women’s game because although Swiatek has been a dominant force and others like Gauff and Sabalenka won majors, there are always these openings for the next generation.

“To have her doing so well so young as a teenager is really impressive.”

‘One of the most exciting prospects I’ve seen’ – the future British number ones

Jack Draper, 22

The talk within British tennis circles – and now further afield after glimpses of his potential on the ATP Tour – has long been that Jack Draper can make it to the top of the game.

A series of injuries have stalled the heavy-hitting left-hander’s progress but Draper has the ability to make deep runs and beat quality opponents when he is consistently fit.

The signs in recent months have been encouraging. A run to the last 16 of the US Open was quickly followed with a first ATP Tour final in Sofia, before he ended the year with two victories over Rune on his way to winning the Ultimate Tennis Showdown exhibition event.

“For me, Jack is a top-10 player no question about it,” Rusedski says.

“But health is your wealth in this sport. The more healthy you can stay, the better chance you have of achieving your goals.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he finished as British number one next year and, although top 20 is his goal, he could possibly end in the top 10.

“In terms of Grand Slams, he’s still a few years away from being able to win one but if he stays fit he could be in the mix.”

Hannah Klugman, 14

While Emma Raducanu will understandably attract a lot of attention as she starts her comeback, it is worth keeping an eye on the progress of another young Briton.

Klugman, who turns 15 in February, won the prestigious Orange Bowl junior championships earlier this month – an event which the likes of Gauff, Chris Evert and Caroline Wozniacki have claimed in the past.

However, she will not be seen regularly on the WTA Tour yet because an age eligibility rule limits the number of top-level tournaments for players under 18 to aid their long-term development.

“Hannah needs time, of course, but she is one to watch out for. It might not be this year she makes a breakthrough on the WTA Tour, but she is good enough and will get there,” Rusedski says.

“I hit with her last year – I know her coach Ben Haran very well – and you could see there was something special there.

“She’s got every shot in the book, which is very rare to have. She can slice the backhand and comes over beautifully two-handed, her forehand has improved out of sight, she has a good serve and good volley.

“She’s one of the most complete and exciting prospects I’ve seen in the world at her age – she’s that good.”